It's match-fixing, says Naidu on Azhar's political entry

February 20, 2009 01:11 IST

Telugu Desam president and former Andhra Pradesh chief miniser Chandrababu Naidu has dismissed the entry of former Indian cricket team captain Mohamemd Azharuddin as inconsequential and said that his joining the Congress party will not have any impact on the party.

Asked to comment on Azhar joining the Congress, Naidu said, "This is nothing, but match fixing. It will not have any impact on the state politics."

His remarks make it clear that in case Azhar enters the electoral fray or campaign for the Congress party, the Opposition will try to rake up his past, including the match-fixing scandal.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders in Andhra Pradesh have dismissed the speculations in media that Azhar will contesting from Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency.

"This is a mere speculation. The Congress can not field a candidate like Azhar from Hyderabad because the MIM is our ally and we can not go against the party," said a senior leader, requesting anonymity.